Day 83: Floating the River (8/16)

Away we go! It was fun. Gavin I knew wasn't any problem, he enjoyed himself so much. Rallie loved it just as much. She wanted to be in the water more than in the raft. It was fun and a nice way to spend the day. It was perfect weather, not to hot and the water was cool. We had good snacks and fun times!

Day 82: Camping Out (8/15)

The Babinec family has decided to spend the weekend out in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The Illinois River runs through that part and it's perfect for floating. We have always stayed in the cabins but this time we were a little late in deciding to go and only tent camping was available. Luckily, every fame had a tent and it was fun. We had hobo dinners and s'mores for dinner. Only Gavin, Rallie, and I went this time. Eisley is still way to young and I don't think I could have handled three by myself so I only took the two oldest. It was nice and I know next year, we can all do it. Tomorrow, we float!

Day 79: Frontier City (8/12)

We spent one of the last days of summer at Frontier City. We had so much fun! The Gavin, Rallie, & Wes love to ride any rides! They are such troopers and willing to try anything and usually end up loving it. I wish I had some video of there faces on the "big kid" rides. After spending some time in the park we made our way over the new water works area. Another very cool part of the park. It's the perfect size for our kids. Not to boring for Gavin and not to big for the twins. Eisley loved it as well. We had so much fun and the kids were so exhausted. Perfect day to almost end the summer. 

Day 61: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (7/25)

On our last day, we spent it from around 9 to 5 on the beach. We got in and out of the ocean. Rennie tried paddle boarding for the first time and we bought new hats. We ordered drinks and ate lunch out on the beach. Rennie and I have different thoughts on how vacation is supposed to be spent. The first days we did things and explored and the last day we sat on the beach and did nothing. Can you guess who likes to do things and who likes to lay around?!

Day 60: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (7/24)

Today, we took a city and tropical tour of Puerto Vallarta. We went into the old part of Puerto Vallarta, took shots at a tequila distillery and ate a fresh, seafood lunch off the river. It was so neat to explore a foreign city. 

Day 59: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (7/23)

Today, we did an excursion with Vallarta Adventures. We did the Extreme Adventure with zip-lines, ATVs, and a water slide. It was so much fun! An experience, we will never forget!!

Day 58: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (7/22)

We explored our surroundings today. We have a hotel down on at the beach.  Rennie also go to parasail right off the beach outside our hotel. They took him out into the ocean and over the city. We also explored downtown Puerto Vallarta. They have a flea market and a boardwalk. It started raining then so we don't have any pictures. It's a wonderful place to visit. 

Day 57: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (7/21)

Today, we flew out of OKC and landed in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for five days... without kids. As soon as we landed we ate lunch at the hotel. It's a good way to start off a vacation. 

Day 37: Science Museum (7/1)

Today, Aunt Sami and Uncle Garvis met the kids and I at the Science Museum. This is the first time Rallie, Wes and Eisley have been there. Gavin went once before however he was very young, probably Eisley's age. It was so much fun, if not a little exhausting. The kids loved it. There was so much to do and play with. However, I think that they will enjoy it so much better the older they get; maybe after they are able to read. After the museum, we went out to Applebee's by this time the kiddos were ready to eat and we were breaking down a little. As always, a big thanks to Uncle Garvis and Aunt Sami for tagging along and hanging out with my crowd at the museum. It's always fun, unless it's not.

Day 16: White Water (6/10)

This summer since Rallie, Wes, & Eisley are all still under the magic number two (by magic, I mean free!), we decided to do the season passes to White Water and Frontier City. So around 3 pm we made our way for the first time this summer to White Water.  We spent two hours there and it was a perfect way to spend the afternoon. I didn't feel guilty for only wanting to stay a couple of hours only because we bought a ticket for the day.

As soon as we entered, we headed to find chairs in the kiddie area. Rennie and Gavin went off to do the big kid stuff which left me with the three youngers. I am exhausted!! (That seems to be a reoccurring theme...) I thought the four of us would sit in the wade in pool and splash and play. NOPE! Rallie wanted to slide down one slide, while Wes wanted to play in the raining thing and my sweet Eisley wanted to do the big slide and the big slide she did, more than once.  I ended up running (in a bathing suit!) from one thing to the next, SUCCESSFULLY keeping tabs on three little ones in the park. Thank goodness it's an enclosed area. 

Eisley is certainly going to be the death of me, either by wearing me out or braving the elements and scaring me to death. There was more than one mom ask me how old she was or comment on how brave she was being. Eisley didn't even wait for me to be at the bottom of the slide and she needed me to be a the bottom of the slide. They all had floaties on but unlike Rallie and Wes, Eisley has no idea how to maneuver with  them on. They are there more for me, so I have a tab bit more time to get to her if needed. 

Later, we went around the lazy river twice, definitely Rallie's favorite part of the park. Wes and Gavin enjoyed it as well, Wes because he was able to swim fast and Gavin because he could touch the bottom. As we were getting ready to go home Wes summed up our time there quite well, "Mommy, pool fun!" with a huge grin on his face. 

It was a great afternoon and now not so scary to take them back. Happy Wednesday!!

Day 76: Dallas Day Two (3/17)

Rennie's favorite place to go in Dallas in the Traders Village. It's like. Huge flea market. I really enjoy it too. This year we tinted the van window, fixed the scratch that I put in the side of the van, bought one of the most awesomest stroller, and a few other knick-knacks. This stroller can hook to the back of a bike so we can take the twins on a bike ride. Gavin sits in a seat on the back of Rennie's bike. {I'm sure there will be pictures of that this summer!}

Overall, a pretty good trip down to Dallas. We wanted to go to Ikea but we were exhausted after Trader's Village. Can't wait until next time!

Day 75: Dallas Day One (3/16)

For our spring break getaway we drove down to Dallas for the weekend. We left Friday night and started our day bright and early at the Children's Aquarium at Fair Park. We met some friends who live in the area, that also have twins! It was a great place to visit. I would of just gone to pet the sting ray! I was a lot of fun.

After that we all grabbed lunch at a local Mexican restaurant, then headed over to SouthFork Ranch.

When Rennie was younger he used to watch the TV show Dallas. Actually my mom and dad watched it too, it was "must see TV" before everything was must see! My mom and dad told me they would have people over as a watch party with food just for the show. It was great TV.

Now years later they have restarted Dallas with a few of the main characters and a lot of news ones. I have been watching it and have enjoyed it. So when we went down to Dallas we toured SouthFork. It was actually kinda cool to see. I really liked it. 

We even got to meet a TV star. The actress that plays the wife of Bobby Ewing, Ann was in the gift shop. Her real name is Brenda Strong. She was gracious enough to take pictures with us all. 

It really was a great day. 

Day 35: Surprise Trip to Stroud (2/4)

Dana called me up this morning and asked what I was doing today. Of course, I had nothing planned because it was Monday. So she wanted to know if I would like to meet in Stroud and surprise my mom with a visit. Of course, I said yes. 

I can't believe the weather in Feburary. It's beautiful and the kids wore off some energy outside. Even the twins enjoyed some sunlight, something they are probably unfamiliar with so far in their life. Dad came home and pushed the kids on the tire swing.

Dad also made some chicken wings and fries for dinner and Dana made bomb brownies that tasted more like a molten cake {yum!}

At the end of the day, I changed all the kids into their jammies and drove home.

What a wonderful day with family. 

Day 166: Tulsa Zoo (4/6)

Today Nana, Gavin and I met up with Molly and her boys for a day at the Tulsa zoo!

We had so much fun. The boys enjoyed spending the day together and Gavin cried when he had to leave Jason and Tommy. 

They got to ride the camel and the carousel. It was beautiful weather and we all enjoyed it so much. 

My favorite picture is Gavin in the monkey outline! 

Day 150: Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede (3/21)

I have never been to Branson so I have never been to show. I told Rennie that if we went to Branson, we are going to see a good show!

We picked out Dixie Stampede it was recommended to us by multiple families with young kids.

They put on a show and served you dinner.

The show was lots of animals and singing. It was perfect for Gavin and I enjoyed it as well. It reminded Rennie of the Medieval times. The area is oval and seats are all around it. As you can see the people behind us are much higher than us. We had great seats!

Gavin is a picky, picky eater so we where unsure how well he would eat dinner. However, he surprised us both and ate much of his dinner. Rennie and I said that the new way for us to get Gavin to eat would be to make it too dark for him to figure out what he was eating! :)

Day 149: Camping Trip (3/20)

We finally made it camping!

I camped all the time when I was younger. It was our way to vacation. We would head out to campgrounds all around Florida with two or three different families and camp for a week. I LOVED it and wanted Gavin to have that same experience that I had. 

We decided that we would start out slow. Camp only one night and see how it worked out with a two year old in a tent. 

If is wasn't raining hard all night long... the trip would of been perfect!

However, it did rain and we ended up sleeping in puddles of cold water. I was able to sleep a lot of the night but I remember waking up and having to move because water was splashing on my face. Rennie didn't sleep much at all because he is a light sleeper and the rain was loud.

We will definitely try camping again. If we can camp in the rain we camp any where!

Gavin loved the tent and has asked repeatedly for the tent. The campground was perfect with an indoor pool and a playground. Rennie came to this site with Justin when they were younger and it was just like he remember. 

New Nickell tradition in the making!!

Day 148: Ride with the Ducks (3/19)

The plan for our spring break vacation to Branson, MO was to wake up early and head to the campsite and set up our site. When we got to Branson it was pouring rain! So we thought we would drive around for a little bit and then head out to the campground. 

When Rennie was growing up, his family came to Branson and he remembers Riding the Ducks. So that was a definite To-Do on our list. 

When we decided that we didn't want to set up our site in the rain, we found out that the Ducks will continue to give rides in the rain. 

So we loaded up on a Duck.

It was so much fun! I enjoyed it almost as much as Gavin. It took you all over Branson and out on to the water. When we were on the lake, Gavin was able to drive the Duck. He loved it. One of the best part were the quackers that they gave you when you got onto the Duck. Gavin quacked at every passing car!

If your ever in Branson Ride the Ducks, with or without kids. Totally worth it!

Day 138: Gas Prices (3/9)

I always try and fill up with 100% pure gasoline because I get better gas mileage for the money. However, I can't stand the thought of spending $3.65 per gallon; just spending $3.49 is aggravating. The thing is if I filled up with the pure gas I would only be spending $2.54 more.

It's all deceiving and horrible way to spend $55.67 of my money.

I remember when I started driving and the gas when from $0.98 per gallon to above a dollar and I was upset. If only I could go back to the prices just above a dollar!

I could go on and on about politics and company greed but honestly I don't know enough to argue any side but I do know I AM PAYING WAY TO MUCH FOR GAS!!

Day 82: Time with Nana and PopPop (1/21)

Gavin and I went to Stroud on Friday night and spend the night with my Mom and Dad. The next day we headed out to Cushing to visit PopPop at work and eat at the Chiense buffet where Aunt Sami showed up. 

I always enjoy heading to Stroud and Gavin loves spending time with Nana and PopPop. He thinks he can get whatever he wants from Nana and PopPop and most of the time he does. They spoil him very much and are proud of that fact!

I don't know how many times PopPop has watched the movies Monsters Inc.

Nana made one of the best crock pot dinners and walked with me each day. I love going home...

Day 64: Our Way Back (1/3)